Multi-functional photometer with movable linkage for routing optical fibers

Abstract

A multi-functional photometer includes a scanning mechanism having a housing (10) that bears a movable linkage (12). The linkage is coupled to an optical scanning head (18) and incorporates optical fibers for transmitting radiant energy to and from the scanning head. The arm comprises a C-shaped "elbow" member (14), pivotally attached to a "shoulder" member (16). In turn, the "shoulder" member of the arm is pivotally connected to the housing. Dynamic couplings join the optical fibers such that the shapes thereof remain fixed regardless of the orientation of the arm. The housing further incorporates a Cartesian-coordinate table (20) for positioning the scanning head with respect to a microplate (22) that contains a plurality of analyte samples.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. An optical coupling for transferring radiant energy between a first light-transmitting conduit coupled to a first rigid member and a second light-transmitting conduit coupled to a second rigid member, said first and said second light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said first rigid member being pivotally attached to said second rigid member at a pivot axis, said optical coupling comprising: a first coupling element statically connected to said first rigid member, said first coupling element having a first though aperture, said first through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said first light-transmitting conduit; and   a second coupling element statically connected to said second rigid member, said second coupling element having a second through aperture, said second through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said second light-transmitting conduit.   
     
     
       2. The optical coupling of claim 1 wherein said first and said second coupling elements have facing surfaces separated by a gap for permitting said first and said second light-transmitting conduits to exchange said radiant energy and for allowing said first and said second rigid members to pivot with respect to each other. 
     
     
       3. The optical coupling of claim 2 wherein said first and second light-transmitting conduits are optical fibers. 
     
     
       4. An optical coupling for transferring radiant energy between a first light-transmitting conduit coupled to a first rigid member and a plurality of second light-transmitting conduits coupled to a second rigid member, said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits having distal and proximal ends, said first light-transmitting conduit and said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits having fixed individual shapes, said first rigid member being pivotally coupled to said second rigid member at a pivot axis, said optical coupling comprising: a first coupling element statically connected to said first rigid member, said first coupling element having a first through aperture, said first through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating one end of said first light-transmitting conduit; and   a second coupling element statically connected to said second rigid member, said second coupling element having a second through aperture, said second through aperture being collinear with said pivot axis and accommodating proximal ends of said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits.   
     
     
       5. The optical coupling of claim 4 wherein said first and said second coupling elements have facing surfaces separated by a gap for permitting said first light-transmitting conduit and said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits to exchange said radiant energy and for allowing said first and said second rigid members to pivot with respect to each other. 
     
     
       6. The optical coupling of claim 5 wherein said light-transmitting conduits comprise optical fibers. 
     
     
       7. The optical coupling of claim 5 wherein said plurality of second light-transmitting conduits is three. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for optically coupling a plurality of optical fibers with a single optical fiber, said apparatus comprising an opaque member having a through aperture for housing ends of said plurality of optical fibers, said through aperture also housing an optical-fiber segment contiguous with said ends of said plurality of optical fibers, said optical-fiber segment being collinear and contiguous with said single optical fiber such that said optical-fiber segment defines an optical path between said plurality of optical fibers and said single optical fiber. 
     
     
       9. An optical coupling as in claim 1 wherein said first rigid member and said second rigid member are capable of moving in space relative to each other, while said first and said second light-transmitting conduits maintain said fixed individual shapes. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said single optical fiber is separated from said plurality of fibers by a gap.